Why was Peter Zenger's 1735 trial so significant?
A)His case set the precedent for freedom of the press in the United States.
B)Peter Zenger was executed, marking the first instance of capital punishment in the Colonies.
C)Peter Zenger was tried by entirely British officials.
D)Peter Zenger was tried by entirely Colonial officials, marking the trial run in the Colonies by and all-Colonial jury.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Peter Zenger's 1735 trial was so significant because his case set the precedent for freedom of press in the United States. In 1734, Peter Zenger, the owner and publishers of a newspaper, was arrested for libel against the royal governor of New York. But in his trial, his colonial jury found him not guilty, setting the precedent for the freedom of the press in the United States. This stand allowed the colonists to speak more freely against British policy and control during the Colonial era.

Why Was Peter Zenger's 1735 Trial So Significant